There are a couple of important things to discuss in this newsletter.
First: Treasurer Is there anyone out there who would like to take over as treasurer? As Bill stated at the reunion, both he and Sheila have health problems. He said he would stay on as long as he had to, but would like to find one of our many reliable members to take over. Please consider this. It is a demanding job, but having a reliable treasurer is very important as all of our money goes through his/her hands, especially when there is a reunion. Let me or Bill know if you are interested. Second: Our next reunion. As you know, the small turnout for the last reunion was disheartening to those of us who had worked with Larry, and then had to take over, especially for Bill. Dick Scotti, our newly elected president and reunion planner for this year, has been working very hard on the next reunion since he got back from Dayton. He had decent proposals from 3 hotels and weighed the pros and cons of each before deciding on the Holiday Inn Riverview in Charleston. Most of the "freebies" or concessions we get are based on turnout, ie, number of rooms reserved. Charleston is within a day's driving distance for many of you; put the date on your calendar right away so that there are no impediments to anyone's attending. If you have never been, this is the one you should go to. Of course, we understand health problems and last minute family problems; they cannot be helped. Here are some details about the reunion. Dates: Begins on Monday, October 6, 2014, with welcome aboard reception. Ends on Thursday, October 9, with banquet. Room Rates: Standard room is $94+ and riverview Waterview Room is $104+. If you come in Sunday, you will receive the same rate. Other: 1) Parking is free, but there is no airport shuttle. This is a drawback, but a big "perk" is a free shuttle about 8 times per day into downtown Charleston where you will find many shops and restaurants, most of the historic sites, and free trolleys that run in the city. This keeps us from having to pay for a tour of the historic district. 2) Hot breakfast buffet--breads, pastries, yogurt, fruit, grits, cereal, eggs, potato of some sort, pancakes or French toast, bacon or sausage. 3) Hospitality room every day/night except for one evening 4) Riverview rooms will have refrigerator and microwaves-- I think. 5) Banquet buffet around $30. Dick has the tours scheduled 1) tour of the historic harbor aboard the Carolina Belle, and 2) Patriot's Point where one fee gets you many venues. Fairly inexpensive. Since the hotel cannot take reservations more than 50 weeks in advance, information on registering at the hotel will be in the Nov. newsletter. Then I plan on having registration blanks for the retunion itself in the January newsletter with everything you need to know. Check this for airport shuttle info:http://www.chs-airport.com/Transportation-and-parking (More details in subsequent issues.)

New Alumni RostersAvaliable!

New Alumni Rosters Avaliable!

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Complete up-dated 2009 roster is $8 if it is picked up and $13 if mailed

If you have a loose leaf roster with 2006 as the date, all you have to do is order the up-dated insert which is $4.50 mailed or $2 picked up.

Order by sending a check made out to VP8 Alumni Assn. to Don Rickel, 33 Bridge St., Topsham, ME 04086. When he receives the check, he will let your roster editor know, and it will be mailed out as soon as possible

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The new roster is loose leaf, so as you get changes from each newsletter. I suggest that you put a piece of notebook paper in the roster section and keep up with the changes as they come out--until a new roster is published.

The new roster is very different as it is divided into Sections.

SECTION ONE contains TAPS, the origin of the association, a list of reunions, the actual roster with an index, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and a map showing how many people we have listed from each state.

SECTION TWO contains the history of VP-8 along with lists of Commanding Officers.